1988, 163 mins IMDB

Personal Stills

SYNOPSIS
Jesus of Nazareth, whose carpentry skills are put to making crosses for the occupying Roman force, is tormented by visions of a special purpose in His life. Reviled for His weakness by Judas, a Zealot, and Mary Magdalene, a prostitute who was a childhood friend, Jesus sees manifestations of Satan and is convinced He should now preach God's message. Joined by Judas, then Mary, and then more disciples, He delivers the Sermon on the Mount, but John the Baptist tells Him He must go into the desert to speak with God. After resisting temptation, Jesus returns with a new anger, performs miracles, raises Lazarus from the dead, and leads an assault on the Tempie in Jerusalem. Telling Judas he must betray Him, Jesus is arrested by the Romans and crucified. On the cross, an angel appears, tells Him God has spared Him, and apparently offers Jesus a normal life as a family man. But when Paul tells Him about the crucifixion and resurrection, and Judas accuses Him of failing the cause, Jesus accepts His destiny and crawls back on to the cross.

CREDITS
Director: Martin Scorsese
Producer: Barbara De Fina
Screenplay: Paul Schrader, based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis
Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker

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